Chapter 13. Adrak vali chai

🎶 Sham

Published on 27.05.2022

| AUTHOR'S POV |

"Oh, someone looks in a pretty good mood today." Kartik comments, entering the kitchen where his sister seemed to be cooking something.

"Yup." Inaaya agrees, turning around and flashing a wide grin.

"And may I ask why is that so?" He cocks an eyebrow at her playfully.

"Because dad's not gonna be at home for next two weeks since he's in some other country which I don't care to know." She answers casually, turning back to arrange the veggies on the bread.

Kartik sighs. "Should've figured out." He mutters. "I know he's biased towards me, has always been but you don't have to hate him for that so much. It does more harm to you than anyone else."

Inaaya stops for a moment. Oh, how she wished the reason was this petty and small and uncomplicated but it isn't. It's dark and depressing and gut wrenching; something she's afraid to tell anyone. Call her hypocritical or coward, it doesn't matter, she can't ever bring herself to tell the truth and put others through the pain she went through.

"What would you like to eat Bhai?" She questions, blatantly avoiding whatever he had said.

Kartik too shrugs, not wanting to indulge in any conversation that her sister doesn't feel comfortable in. Moreover, she's in a good mood and he doesn't want to ruin it. He throws an arm around her shoulder. Leaning into her, he pretends to think. "Momos," he says merrily.

"Great. Okay then, I'll bring you sandwiches." Inaaya gives him a goofy smile.

"Clingy people." Their mother comments from behind, feigning a grimace.

The sibling duo turns around and Inaaya wraps her arms around Kartik's waist, side hugging him.

"You're just jealous woman because she isn't clingy with you." Kartik teases his mom.

She scrunches up her nose. "Gosh! You two resemble a couple more than a brother and sister duo."

"Hey!" Inaaya extends her hand and points a finger at her mother, her eyes narrowing. "Don't you dare woman to taint our pious relationship." She said dramatically.

"Don't you dare taint our pious relationship." She mimics Inaaya childishly and moves forward to pour herself a glass of water while her kids giggle.

"Mom, you should stop acting like a kid." Kartik tells her mischievously.

"Not my fault that my kids don't behave like kids." She rolls her eyes.

"We're 20 and 25; not 2 and 5." Inaaya titters.

"Excuses, excuses." Their mother retorts with an air of attitude. "Have you made something for me as well or is everything just for your darling brother?"

Inaaya clicks her tongue. "Ofcourse, I've prepared toast sandwiches and orange juice for you as well. Have a seat, I'll serve you."

"Naah. I need to go to the NGO." She smiles.

"Then I'll pack it for you so you can eat it on your way." Kartik says and starts packing her tiffin while Inaaya serves her the juice. "Inu, go and sit on the dining table. I'll bring the breakfast." He commands his sister.

After their mother leaves, Kartik and Inaaya start eating their sandwiches.

"How's the project going?" Kartik questions.

"Pretty decent honestly."

"You'd said about someone being appointed to guide y'all? What about it?"

"Oh, Ayansh. He's nice." She mumbles casually.

"Ayansh?" Kartik squints his eyes.

"Yeah. Ayansh Mehra."

He raises an eyebrow instinctively. "Ayansh Mehra." He repeats in a small voice.

"Do you know him?" Inaaya looks up, tilting her head.

"Son of Vikrant Mehra and brother of Rahul Mehra?" He asks and Inaaya nods. "Not personally but I've heard about him."

"Heard about him as an individual or just in association with other people?" Inaaya inquires curiously.

"No offense but yeah he's kinda known because of his parents and brother."

Inaaya nods vaguely. The sound of it bothering her a little for some reason. "Maybe since he's an introvert and a little shy as well but he's nice though. Talented and meticulous. Hardworking too." She says in a small voice, shoving the last piece of the sandwich in her mouth and bringing the glass of juice to her lips.

"I didn't say anything about him. Why are you defending him?" Kartik looks at her suspiciously.

Inaaya chokes on her drink. Kartik immediately starts rubbing her back as she coughs wildly. "I- I wasn't defending him. Why will I defend him?" Her response comes out harsher than intended.

"How will I know that?" He says as a matter of fact. "I haven't seen you talking about any male specimen, let alone appreciating them."

"You were the one who started this topic which led to his name popping up!" Inaaya scoffs, suddenly all her guards activated.

"Jeez! You're overreacting. Did I say that you like him or something? No. Then why are you being so offended and defensive!?" He said feigning innocence but Inaaya didn't miss the sly glint in his eyes.

"You know what," she started, glaring at him. "You should find yourself a girl, take her on dates and marry her. Stop annoying me." She stands up and grabs her backpack. "Are you coming to drop me off at college or should I go with Alisha?"

Kartik stares at her with a smirk and suggestive eyes, enjoying getting on his sister's nerves. "Two minutes," he replies smugly, getting up with his glass of juice and making his way to the kitchen area leaving back a flustered Inaaya.

~

Ayansh was partially drenched when he came to the college in the evening.

"Woah!" Ayushi exclaims. "Looks like someone was having a moment in rain."

"Don't you've a raincoat or something?" Inaaya inquires.

"I do but I was already halfway when it started raining so didn't bother to halt and wear it." He explains and runs a hand through his hair.

"Lazy." Ayushi mocks playfully before taking her place and starting her work.

"Won't you get sick?" Inaaya asks partly out of curiosity, partly out of concern as they walk towards their desk.

Ayansh looks at her with surprise. "Ahh no," he answers awkwardly. "I'm kinda used to it. Moreover, I love rains." He adds with a smile.

"Gross." She mutters under her breath but he hears it anyways.

It felt nice how both of them especially Ayansh didn't feel awkward to talk to each other. It didn't come naturally but they both put efforts to not overthink, to not make things difficult for the other person. On top of that, there was a sense of security coupled with intimacy that they felt towards each other after writing those letters. It was as if giving away a piece of yourself to the other person, trusting them with it to protect.

Inaaya had brought the laptop to work so they didn't have to go to the IT room. While working, Ayansh couldn't keep it to himself so he ended up asking.

"Is there something you like?" He blurts out and immediately regrets. This was him initiating a conversation out of nowhere but why? Was it because he was told by his brother or was it only because he wanted to? The lines between reality and pretense seemed to be blurring and that vexed him. "Forget that I said something." He grumbles, facing the screen back.

Inaaya turns her head to look at him. "What are you talking about?" She questions nonetheless.

"How can you not like rains?" He grits.

"How can you even like it?" She inquires back.

Ayansh sighs defeatedly. He should've kept that question to himself. "Is there something you like?" He asks calmly. "Paino? Singing?" He suggests.

Inaaya watches him with scrutinizing gaze. "Are you alright? Because you seem a little worked up and agitated." There's a moment of silence but he doesn't answer so she continues. "I don't like piano or singing. Not in a way where I'm passionate about it or anything. I just joined the classes to keep myself busy. Nothing more."

That catches Ayansh's attention. He turns his face to look at her; surprised, shocked, amused. "Dance?" He raises his eyebrows.

Inaaya shakes her head slowly. "I mean, I'm decent in that but again it's not like I break into dance every moment I get." She chuckles and weirdly it makes him chuckle as well. "What are you good at?" She directs her question at him.

"Nothing." He answers instantly, but there's no despair or disappointment as he says that, admits it. There's no fear of being judged or being looked down. And then she laughs too and just like that, every thought that had been stressing him out since a while fades away at the sound of her laughter. There's this uncanny comfort he feels with her even though he doesn't realises it.

"I don't believe you." Inaaya disagrees with him. "You're good in academics, I assume."

"Yeah but that's about it." He looks back at the screen, typing something. "I'm average in other aspects. No real talent, neither am I a good orator."

"You are!" Inaaya defies adamantly. "You just think that because you're a little self conscious and have stage fright but you explain stuffs well. You did a good job on your first day with us." She reminds him.

"Okay okay whatever."

Inaaya rolls her eyes at his response. "You should look at positives within yourself as well." She says softly in a small voice and then resumes making notes.

When they're about to leave, Ayushi comes to them.

"I actually needed some help in accounting." She says to Ayansh.

"Oh," Ayansh mumbles, turning his head subconsciously to look at Inaaya before looking back at Ayushi. "I- I can help you in the next class if that's fine or you can call me or text me. Whatever works for you." He blabbers.

Ayushi grins. "Thank you. I'll call you tonight and if I still need help then we can discuss on Thursday."

Ayansh nods politely and gives her a small smile and she waltz away waving a bye to both of them.

It's still raining when Ayansh and Inaaya reach the exit of the college building in silence. None of them say a word although they do have questions to ask. Inaaya leans against one corner of the exit, gazing at the steady downpour with a frown pulling at her lips.

"Rains aren't that bad." Ayansh comments, leaning against the opposite corner, watching the mosaic view with a peaceful expression.

Inaaya scoffs. "There isn't exactly anything to like about rain. What's there to appreciate? The muddy water? The puddles? Your skin feeling sticky? Trying to not let yourself or your belongings get drenched? Not to forget, the delay and loss when the area is flooded. I can give hundreds of more reasons like that."

Ayansh simply shakes his head, unfazed by all her complaints. "You need to take a pause," he says calmly, making her slightly irritated. "You sound like a sophisticated rich girl."

"I know I'm rich but it isn't as if middle class people love rains too." She points out.

He seems to think for a moment. "Valid point," he agrees.

"I'm waiting for my brother but why are you waiting?"

"Uh, I- I'll feel guilty if I leave you alone." He voices out. It was actually the truth but the part of him with clouded thoughts doubted his intentions, doubted if it was because his brother had asked him to get closer to Inaaya. He clenches his fist, feeling a wave of helplessness and confusion.

Inaaya stares at him blankly. "I really don't want you to stay because any sane person would assume you're waiting because, well, how can a gentleman leave a girl alone? But then, as much as I've known you, what you're saying is probably the truth. It isn't- "

"The smell of petrichor." He cuts her off.

"Huh!?"

"The smell of the earth during rain. It's so pleasant and calming." He closes his eyes, letting his head rest on the wall behind. There are so many emotions running through him and he doesn't know what to do with them. He feels trapped. And then there's rain which always makes all his worries seem insignificant and then there's this girl who always manages to make him feel better about his own self, as if injecting a shot of self-love. She does that again. When he's doubting his own intentions, she comes with her words, just like the rain, uninvited, and clears his vision, assures him that his intentions aren't malicious or selfish.

"It's not that bad, the smell." Inaaya agrees although not happily.

"Rain has a way of washing away all your worries. It sweeps away all your stress. Even if the water's cold, it fills you with warmth from inside. Have you ever read a book while having coffee and sitting near the window as it rains?" He inquires, opening his eyes and looking at her, his voice hopeful.

Inaaya slowly shakes her head in denial.

"It's like an escape. You should try it." He adds softly.

"All this just sounds cool and aesthetic." The pessimistic side of her defying him.

Ayansh smiles and rolls his eyes. "Maybe what you're saying is true but you change your view when you change your perspective. Try a more optimistic approach and maybe you'll be able to find rains beautiful too."

"It doesn't sound exciting but thanks." The stubborn side of her not letting her agree with him that what he said indeed sounded hopeful and maybe beautiful too.

"Have you ever tried bhajiya with adrak vali chai during rains? Elite combination." Ayansh says enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming as if the thought itself is tempting.

Inaaya giggles. "What difference does having this during rain and having this normally makes?" She asks, surprised.

"The same difference that having icecream when you're suffering from cold and having icecream when you're perfectly fine makes." He answers merrily in an instant and blinks at her.

Inaaya gazes at him with amusement. A smile naturally creeping on her lips watching him smile. The sound of her phone ringing breaks the moment. She picks up the call from the brother who informs her that he's waiting outside the main gate.

"You can go now since my brother is here. I hope you wear a raincoat." She reminds him subtly. "Bye." She walks a few steps before turning around. "Be careful. Don't skid while riding your bike." She says playfully and it makes him chuckle.

"Bye." He says back and sighs when she spins around and walks away.

"Bhai?" Inaaya calls out, sitting on the passenger seat as he's driving.

"Hmm."

"I made breakfast in the morning for you so I need you to cook something for me too." She orders.

"Okay." He says in understanding. "What do you want to eat? Momos?"

"Bhai yaar." Inaaya groans. "Order yourself momos if you're so desperate."

Kartik laughs. "Fine. Tell me what you want to eat."

"Bhajiya with adrak vali chai." She responds enthusiastically.

***

Simple and sweet chapter. Do drop in your reviews. I really wish it starts raining coz it's too hot these days. Hope everyone is doing well and lots of love :)

Target : 15 votes ehh?? It's not much 🙃

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